Both of you, make a wish

Josh Penry[2], considered a formidable candidate in the governor’s race until he dropped out last November, turns 34 today.

The Grand Junction Republican was born on Feb. 1, 1976, in Denver but grew up in Mesa County. It was often noted on the campaign trail that if Penry, the Senate minority leader, had won in November he would have been the youngest governor since statehood.

Penry said he dropped out because he feared an ugly primary would hurt the party and give Democrats a better chance of hanging onto the seat.

Penry, by the way, shares a birthday with his political opposite, Pat Waak[3], chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party. She turns 67 today.